Straban Township near Gettysburg in Adams County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
"His recovery … is yet considered doubtful"
Six weeks later, Private Silliman had to report to his mother on September 26th:
I have just returned from visiting Sam. He is failing rapidly and is liable to drop away at any moment. He seemed disinclined to talk and wished to sleep. I have made arrangements so that I can have him embalmed, the cost of embalming will be $15,00, box $5.00, Expressage would cost about $24.
Sam died on September 27th, and Private Silliman accompanied the body back to New Canaan. Ironically, just a few weeks before, Silliman observed that "Gettysburg has been an extensive coffin mart & embalmers harvest field…these coffin speculators made an enormous profit."
Erected by Gettysburg Battlefield Preservation Association.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. A significant historical month for this entry is July 1987.
Location. 39° 50.367′ N, 77° 12.36′ W. Marker is near Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, in Adams County. It is in Straban Township. Marker is on Natural Springs Road, on the right when traveling north. Marker is located in a shopping complex, south of York Road (US Highway 30). Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Gettysburg PA 17325, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. "The sight of blood never again affected me" (here, next to this marker); Camp Letterman (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Location of Field Hospitals (approx. 0.2 miles away); a different marker also named Camp Letterman (approx. half a mile away); W.H. Monfort Farm (approx. half a mile away); Manor of Maske (approx. 0.7 miles away); Massie's Battery - Nelson's Battalion (approx. 0.7 miles away); Kirkpatrick's Battery - Nelson's Battalion (approx. ¾ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Gettysburg.
More about this marker. In the upper right is a portrait of Justis Silliman, courtesy of the New Canaan Historical Society. In the lower right is a photo of an "Operating Tent" at Camp Letterman taken in the fall of 1863. Photo courtesy of William A. Frassanito.
Also see . . . Camp Letterman Tour. Collection of articles from Gettysburg Daily, featuring Licensed Battlefield Guide Phil Lechak. (Submitted on May 22, 2009, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)
Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on May 22, 2009, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 2,081 times since then and 40 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on May 22, 2009, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.